Package and liner therefor



Oct. 24, 1961 s. Y. PlLlBos 3,005,717

PACKAGE AND LINER THEREFOR Filed Sept. 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

IIIIIH imm S 7E`PHEN K P/L/BOS /N VEN TOR mlilihii HUEBNER, EEH/ ER a wo/PREL ,4 wop/vers Oct. 24, 1961 s. Y. PlLlBos PACKAGE AND LINER THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30, 1957 n l l n l I l l i A C Ms. f3.

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ATTORNEYS BV Unite States Patent 3,005,717 FACKAGE AND LINER THEREFR Stephen Y. Pilibos, 1919 S. Willow Ave., Fresno, Calif. Filed Sept, 30, 1957, Ser. No. 687,293 7 Claims. (Cl. 99--171) The present invention pertains to a package and a liner therefor and more particularly to a liner for a container adapted to impart increased rigidity to the container and to enable improved packing of articles therein.

The subject invention overcomes several problems of the prior art to which brief preliminary reference is made. Until recent years, cantaloupes have been packed in Wooden crates. However, for various reasons, such as the weight and expense of wooden crates, the modern trend in fruit packaging is to the use of cardboard or fiberboard boxes. In addition, cantaloupes and other perishable products are frequently bruised by being jammed into wooden crates.

Because the normal weight of a box of cantaloupe is approximately sixty pounds, and because the side walls of packed boxes are often subjected to Yconsiderable moisture if allowed to remain over extended periods in refrigeration cars,`the insulation properties,v the wet strength and rigidity of the boxes must be substantial to withstan the stresses involved.

For years packed boxes of fruits and vegetables have been stacked on their bottom and top walls in railway cars for transport. Recently, it has been decided to stack the boxes on end in the cars primarily since iten-f ables loading a greater number of boxes in the cars. This presents new problems which previously known berboard containers are unable to solve. The fruit naturally settles during shipment, causing the side, top and bottom walls o f such containers to bulge outwardly. This is especially true with relatively heavy fruit such as cantaloupes. r[hepack becomes loose or slack so that travel of the car causes jostlng of the fruit and increases the opportunities for bruising.

A cardboard box that has achieved popularity for fruit packaging includes three releasably intertitted sections requiring a minimum number of staples to form a completed box. The outer and intermediate sections are of the same shape although the former is slightly larger than the latter, slidrably to receive the same-therein; these sections having top and bottom walls, respectively, an open bottom and an open top, respectively, and rectangularly arranged side and end walls. The inside section has an open top, rectangularly arranged side and end walls adapted to be slidably fitted within the intermediate section, and end and side bottom wall aps foldable between an open position and a bottom wall forming position. The intermediate section is transported and stored, prior to use in attened condition. In use, stacks of the same are placed adjacent to the packing line of a packing house. Packers pick oi the sections, fold them into rectangular box forming shape and fold in the bottom wall portions; the latter are not sealed and are rested on a table, orthe like, to prevent them from opening; and the sections are filled with fruit. In order to lift a loaded intermediate section, it is obviously necessary to hold the bottom wall flaps closed. The reason the bottom wall flaps are unsealedis to reduce to a minimum the number of operations the packer must perform. Although this speeds up production at one stage, it causes delays and inconvenience in handling the intermediate section once it is loaded. Ordinarily, the inner section is inserted into the intermediate section to hold the bottom wall aps closed.

Another problem relates more specifically to cantaloupes. Although cantaloupes are graded according to certain established size classiiications, as a practical-mati 3,005,717 Patented oct, 24,1961u ice ter, the actual size and shape of cantaloupes within a particular size classification usually vary slightly. Because of these size variations, the pack may be too loose so as to rattle or cause bruising, or the upper surface of the upper layer may be uneven. It is to be observed that the appearance of a box of cantaloupes is of considerable commercial importance.

Accordingly, it is lan object of the present invention to provide a liner for a container which is adapted to strengthen and make more rigid berboard containers and the like.

' Another object is to enable improved packing of articles in boxes made of cardboard, paperboard, liberboard, and the like.

Another object is to enable cardboard boxes to be stacked on end without the contents thereof causing bulging of the side walls of the box. Another object is to maintain a compact, tight pack of articles in a container and to minimize loosening of the pack.

Another object is to minimize jostling and consequent bruising of fruit in a box during shipment and other handling of the box.

Another object is to provide a pack of cantaloupes of slightly different sizes and shapes which has an upper layer providing a substantially dat upper surface.

Another object is to enable the lifting and carrying of a section of a box having unsealed bottom wall portions which is loaded with articles.

Another object is to reinforce the longitudinal rigidity of iiberboard boxes and the like.

Another object is to minimize outward bulging of the side walls of a box.

Another object is to provide a liner for a box having partitions between layers of fruit in the box which partitions accommodate themselves to variations in fruit sizes and shapes. v

Another object is to provide a resilient liner for a container which yields under weight of articles placed thereon and when forced thereagainst by closure of the cover for the container but which raises articles upwardly when the cover of the container is open to provide an improved display and to minimize fruit bruising.

Another object is to provide a liner for a container which is conducive to automatic packing of the container.

Another object is to provide a liner for a container which contacts the stem ends of fruit in layers on opposite sides of the liner and which incorporates a mold and decay inhibitor to prevent the incipience of mold and decay normally having its origin at said stem ends.

Other objects are to provide a liner of the nature described which is economical to construct and use, adaptable to a variety-of articles, although particularly suited to produce, dependable in operation, and which is highly effective for accomplishing its intended purposes.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is an exploded perspective view of a container and a liner constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. t

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged longitudinal section taken through the inner and intermediate sections of the container with the liner of the present invention fitted therein and showing layers of cantaloupes packed in the container.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged transverse section through an assembled container of the type shown in FIG. l, and incorporating the liner as well as upper and lower layers of cantaloupes.

With reference to FlG. l, a container 10 with which and use of the subject invention.

the subject invention is especially adapted for use is shown priorto assembly of its various parts. This container includes au intermediate section 11 having a substantially rectangular bottom wall l2rproviding aA plurality of elongated, longitudinally extended slots i3, and opposite upwardly extended side and end walls i4 and integral with the bottom wall and interconnected `along their adjacent corners in substantially rectangular relation. The end walls provide horizontal, elongated hand-receiving openings 16. i The containerY lalso includes an inner sectionY which provides opposite side rand. end walls 21 and 22 integrally connected along their corner edges in substantially rectangular relation. The end walls 22 also provide hand-receiving openings 23. A bottom wall 24 includesa pair of end flaps 25 integrally foldably connected along the lower edges of the walls 22 and a pair of side aps 26 integrally foldably connected to the lower edges of .the side walls 2l. The sideand end flaps are movable between overlapping positions in substantially a common plane :so Vas to form a bottom wall of the inner section and open positions outwardly .and downwardly retracted from the bottom wall forming positions. It is to be noted that the flaps provide slots 27, and that the slots Vin the end aps register Vwith the endwardly located slots in the side iiaps when the aps are in said bottom wail forming positions. The inner section of the container is of such size that it can be releasably slidably tted into the intermediate section 1i with the end and side walls of the respective sections in sliding engagement, with corresponding handereceiving openings 16 land Z3 Vin registration, and with corresponding Ventilating slots .15 and 27 in registration.

Still further, the container 19 has an outer Vtop section 35 including a rectangular topwall 36 and downwardly extended end and side walls 37 and 3S connectedin rectangular relationship. The outer section isl adapted tobe relcasably siidably fitted over the intermediate sec# tion with the respective side and end walls i4, 215,37 and 38 in engagement. The end walls of theouter section have `hand-receiving yopenings .39 respectively in registration with theV hand-receiving openings i6 and 23 when the outer section is in the described fitted relation.

The container 16 as described above is of conventional construction and has been explained in some Ydetail in order to enable abetter appreciation of the operation l It is to be understood, however, that the present inventionis not limited tothe 'use of this `type of container.

A liner 45 constructed in accordance with the principles of .the present invention is also iilustratedin FIG. .1. The liner includes a substantially rectangular bottom panel 46 of substantially the same .size as the bottom wall 24 of the inner container section 26. The bottom panel is adapted to be fitted in overlaying relation with the bottom Wall of the inner section .and includes elongated slots 47 inregistration with the slots 27 inV said bottom wall. The bottom panel has opposite side edges 48 extended along and engaging the side walls 21 of the inner section, and end .edges 49 engaging the end walls 2.2. -V

The liner 45 provides a pair of sidevpanelsSS of substantially rectangularform having lower edges integrally ioldably .connected to the side edges 43 of the bottom panel 46 and longitudinally extended topedges 56. The side panels also have opposite end edges 57 'engaging the end walls22 of theinner section 20 when .theliner is positioned therein. The .side panels are provided with elongated, .longitudinally `extended side wall portions 55' against the side walls 2l of the inner section 20 of the container 10 and fold lines 58 substantially parallel to andintermediate the .lower and top edges 48 and 56 so as .to enable folding the Vside :panels inwardly toward leach other to provide a pair of partitions 59 in substantially parallel relation to thebottompanel v46 and vin substan- Y tially coplanar relationship 4 with each other. The partitions are edgewardlyspaced from each other in their inwardly folded positions so as to define an elongated vent passage 60 extending the length of the container. Although not shown, the outer Vsurfaces of the side panels can Vbe provided with corrugations adapted for nonslidable frictional engagement with the Vadjacent sidewalls 21 of the inner container section 20 when forced thereagainst under predetermined pressure.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention isbelieved to be .readily apparent and is briefly summarizedat this point.

As explained, the liner 45 is especially suited .for use with the type'of container described and indicated by thenumeral .10. In actual use of this container in a packing house, the inner sections 20 and the liners 4.5 areistacked Ain flattened folded condition adjacent to the packing line. VIt is tobe observed that the inner section may be folded Ainto a dat condition by opening or retracting the bottom wall flaps 25 and 26 and then by folding the-side and end wallsll andr22 Valong their corner folds into parallelogram .form and finally :into face-to-face .engagement.

. vin `order ,to pack the container 16 with cantaloupes, indicated by the numeral 65, the inner section 29 is opened into rectangularforrnrand the end and side flaps 25 and 26 are folded into their bottom wall forming partitions andplaced on a packing table, not shown, or other supporting surface. The liner 45 .is rthen fitted into the inner section with the'bottom panel V46V overlaying the bottom wall 24,.and withthe side panels 5S extending upwardly in engagement with theisidc walls 21 of the inner .section- A first or bottom layer 66 of cantaloupes 65 is then placed either manually or mechanically on the bottom panel of the liner. Thereafter, the lpartitions 59 are folded along the Alines 5S into overlaying relation with the bottom'layer. Next, an upper layer 67 of cantaloupes is placed itt-the inner section 2li-of the container l@ on the partitions 5 9.. It is to .be noted that the partitions forma .relatively ilat substantially continuous (except for the ventnpassage .60) surface, similar to the bottom panel 46, on which to lplace the top or second layer. Without the Ypartitions, thesecond layer of cantaloupes would have to be placed on the Vrelatively uneven surface provided by `.the lower layer of cantaloupes. It is to be noted that the subject Vlineris. especially adapted for use withV the automatic cantaloupe packing machine disclosed in the copending United States patent application S.N. 666,314, filed June -.l8, 1957. The partitions Yshield the lower layer of cantaloupes andminirnize bruises thereof rwhen the upper Ylayer of lca utaloupes is deposited .inthe .container.

-.Par-titions 59, also'serve to equalize the total height .of the layers 66-and 67 of Vcantaloupes 65 to provide asub stantially even upper surface. Inasmuch as there arercentain slghtsize and shape differences ,even withinthe same graded size of cantaloupes, without the partitions 59, two relatively-smaller cantaloupes might be placed one on the other to cause the described unevenness. The partitions rest `on .the largest size cantaloupes and provide a more nearly .horizontal surface upon which to place the upper layer of ,cantaloupes .Y Furthermore, the partitions 59 take advantage ofthe described unevenness in the'lower layer 66 of cantaloupes. The 'partitions are Ysuiliciently flexible to yield slightly under the weight lof the .cantaloupes in the upper layer. Ihusas.il1ustrated.in FIG` 2,V the cantaloupes in the upper layer .immediately above the'spaces between canta. loupes in the lower layer depress the partition slightly to form barriers 70 between the cantaloupes to maintain them n place in the layer. In like manner, this depressionfof the partitions creates pockets 71 for .the ycantaloupesinthe upper layer. This provides Ya tighter;I

morecompact load within the box, avoids the described loose or slack pack, and minimizes possible and resultant bruising of the fruit. Further, it will be seen that the inwardly folded aps or partitions 59 are securely held between the cantaloupes which in turn imparts substantiaily greater strength and reinforcing characteristics to the liner and box than otherwise would be obtained.-

It is also to be noted that the Well-known rough, netted surface character of cantaloupes is utilized to advantage in gripping the partitions and clamping the same between the upper and lower layers.

When the inner section 20 is lled, it can be picked up by fitting the hands through the openings 23 and simply lifting the section. The side panels 55, frictionally engage the side walls 21 to prevent downward slidable movement of the liner 45 relative to the inner section. Thus, although the flaps 25 and 26 are not sealed, the cantaloupes 65 are dependably retained within the inner section. It is to be noted that the frictional con-- tact between the side panels' and the side walls is increased by the outward pressure of the cantaloupes. As above indicated, however, corrugations, not shown, may be incorporated on the outer surface of the side panels further to increase-the frictional engagement, if desired.

The describedrclamping of the partitions 59 between the layers of cantaloupes 66 and 67 minimizes or obviates outward bulging of the side walls 21 of -the inner section 20. In addition, the partitions impart longitudinal rigidity to the inner section because of their extension between and contact with the end walls 22. To complete the package, the inner section 20 is slidably fitted into theV intermediate section 11, and the outer section 35 slidably fitted over the intermediate section. The top wall 36 bears against-the upper layer 67 of cantaloupes 65 to hold them in their pockets 71 and otherwise cooperates with the bottom wall 12 and the partition 59 to provide the described characteristics. The container can be positioned on one of its end walls 37 as well as on the bottom wall 12. When stacked on end, the partitions pre- Ventfthe cantaloupes 4from settling downwardly and thereby prevent bulging of the Abottom and top walls ofthe container. Of course, the partitions add longitudinal strength for end stacking purposes. The top wall furtherurges the upper layer of cantaloupes against the liner partitions which resiliently yield to form pockets of greater depth. When the outer section is removed, the partitions spring upwardly to raise the upper layer of cantaloupes. This minimizesbruising and provides a more attractive display. y

' From the foregoing it will be evident that a highly advantageous liner has been provided for use in a container. The liner enables more effective and efiicient use of the described type of containerhaving unsealed bottom wall flaps, provides partitions which strengthen the container, and enables improved packaging of fruit and other articles. The liner does not impair normal ventilation of the pack, is conducive to automatic mechanical packing, and may be impregnated with a mold inhibitor for further protection of fruit therein. In this latter regard, the liner offers another lamination, in etect, for the bottom wall of the container so as to add additional wet strength and insulating properties to the bottom wall.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A packaged produce product comprising a sheet liberboard container having a bottom and opstanding end walls and side walls defining an article receiving compartment; a reinforcing liner of sheet iberboard material y bottom extended upwardly along the side walls of the' container; a lower layer of articles of produce tightly. packed between the side walls of the liner and positioned on the bottom thereof, the liner having elongated partition portions integral with the side walls of the liner and.' inwardly extended in substantially parallel relation to theliner bottom each a'distance approximately butless than one-half of the distance between the side walls, the parti-1 tions being in overlying engagement with the lower 1ayer of articles; and an upper layer of articles of produce rested on the partition portions of the liner and tightly packed between the side walls -of the container, said partition` portions being substantially rigid in edgeward dimension and engaging the end walls and side walls of the container. to impart rigidly'thereto. and said layers of articles .of produce-tightly clamping the partition portions therebetween. Y

2. A packaged product comprising a container having -a bottom wall ,and opposed end and side walls intercon-z nected in substantially rectangilar relation and upstanding from the bottom wall, the side .walls having upperl and lower edges; a liner of sheet material which is sub-. stantially rigid although having limited resilience and.,- exibility in its thickness dimension, the liner being Ire-l leasably slidably fitted in said containerand includinga bottom panel in congruent overlying engagement vwith the bottom wall, the liner having elongated side wall portions integrally .foldably connected to the bottom panel and upwardly extended along the side walls of the 'con-` tainer; a lower layer of such substantially sphericallyshapedf articles of produce positioned on the bottom panel in compressive engagement with the side wall portions:l and urging theV sidewall portions of the liner tightly out- I wardly against the side walls of the container, the liner having elongated article overlaying and supporting partitions integrally foldably connected to the side wall portions along told lines extended longitudinally of the side walls,- said fold lines being held in spaced substantially parallel relation to and in substantially coplanar relation with said upper and lower edges of the container by the lower `layer of articles, the partitions being extended transversely inwardly fromH the side walls and being free,- ly pivotal about their respective fold lines upwardly and downwardlyin the container above and below predetermined relaxed neutral positions, said partitions terminat-Y ing in spaced inner edges opposite to and substantially coplanar with saidv fold` lines, said inner edges being in spaced Vrelation to the bottom panel to provide a venti-` lating passage therebetween and being freely movable upwardly and downwardly in the container away from and toward the bottom panel, the partitions being in overlying engagement with the lower layer of articles on the bottom panel but having portions which do not engage articles in the lower layer; and an upper layer of such substantially spherically-shaped articles of produce positioned on the partitions, the partitions being resiliently depressed by any article of the upper layer which is in engagement with said non-engaging partition portions thereby tightly clamping the partitions between said upper and lower layers, the partitions being substantially edgewardly rigid and having outer edges engaged against the side walls and end walls of the container substantially midway between the upper and lower edges thereof. f

3. The package of claim 2 wherein the articles of produce in the upper and lower layers have outer roughened peripheries gripping the partitions therebetween and resisting movement of the partitions relative to each other longitudinally and transversely of the container.

4. A packaged produce product comprising a container of substantially rigid sheet material having interconnected end walls and side walls circumscribing an article`rcc'erving'-compartment and providing a pair *of bottom apsvfoldably connected Ato Athe, lside wallsgfor i movement between substantially coplanarclosed;positionsfY providing a bottom for the compartment and dependingY positions retracted from the compartment and Vopening the bottom thereof; a liner of substantially rigid sheet material slidablyiitted into the container having a `'bottom panel positionedk in closing relation to the bottom of the compartment, side panels foldably connected to the Ibotarticles of produce packed-within vthe Vliner"thrusting thel side-panelsthereof outwardly against the side walls of the' container'in frictional engagement therewith; and articles'- produce packed in the container on the 'partition'panels and Yclamping said lpartition panels against the articles packed in the liner, 'said partition panels beingfedgeward-Y ly vsubstantially rigid and having outer edges engaged against-the side panels and end panels ofthe container to impartincreased rigidity to the package, `the produce being packed lin the liner suiciently tightly-,that frictionpa'l engagement of the side panels ofthe liner with-the *side walls of the container support the liner and larticles in the` container when the bottom flaps ofthe container are in depending positionrand said bottom ilaps enga-ging Vthe bottom Ypanel ofthe'liner Vin Vsupporting 4relation thereto when in closedjpositions.

'f SJThe packaged produce product of kclaim 4 including lmeans 'telescopically ,fitted Vupwardly 4over ythe container releasably supporting kvthe jbottom aps of the containerv in closed positions. Y

6l The vpackaged produce product of claim 4 including an intermediate member having 'integrally interconnected end Walls and'side walls slidably tted upwardly over the containerin slidable 'engagement with the end walls and side walls respectively vthereof and including a`bottom supporting the :ilaps of the container in closed positions; and an outer member slidablyptted downwardly over the intermediate member having integrally interconnected end walls and sidewalls slidably engaged with the end Walls and side Walls respectively of the intermediate member and a top in covering relation to the `compartment of the container.

V7. A-packaged produce product comprising a container `adapted to receive cantaloupes and having a dat bottom wall divided into a pair of freely separable flaps, a pair of opposed parallel side Walls upstandingrfrom the bottom Wall, a pair of opposed end walls opstanding fromV the bottom Wall and connected in substantially rectan-V gular relation with the side walls, the bottom wall flaps sesam being rotatable between bottomwall wforming -positions and positions downwardly `retracted therefrornyand` a top wall inV substantially parallel relation to -the-bottom Wall; a reinforcing liner for the container of sheet tiber i board material comprising a at rectangular one-piece bottom panel having substantially the same length and*` width as the container and tted inthe container in overlying -relationwith the bottom wall thereof, and rectangular `side panels yhaving substantially the sameY length as the container and upwardly extended fromV the bottom panel in engagement with the side walls adjacent thereto; a layer of cantaloupes packed onthe bottom panel of the liner tightly between the'side panels thereof whereby the side panels are urged into frictionalengagel ment with the side walls of the container, the side panels having substantially parallel fold lines extended longitudinally of the container in a substantially common plane parallelto the bottom panel and defining partition panelsl continuous lwitlt the side panels vfoldable along said fold linesbetween positions against the side walls of the coutainer and ypositions substantially parallel tothe bottom panel radapted to overlie and -rest `on the cantalcupesj ysaid partitions are folded and the cantaloupes Vpacked thereon so as to be clamped therebetween and vhaving peripheral edge portions in engagement with the end Walls and side walls of the container and being substantially -edgewardly rigid.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES vPATENT S 619,475- Gair Feb. 14, 1899 k1,601,625 V Hruby R Sept. 28, 1926 1,608,422 Plass t Nov. 2,3, 41926' 1,707,771 Richardson A Apr. 2, 1929, 1,868,996 Sharp July 26, 1932 2,172,332 Rohrbacher Sept. Si, 1939 2,189,410 Stute L,.-- Feb. 6, 1940 2,570,340 George Oct. 9,11951 v2,599,790 Stuart June l0, i952 2,807,402 Nelbach Sept. 24, 1957 2,893,617 George -,g ,-Joiy 7, 1959 42,908,576 Rumsey Oct. 13, 1959 t FOREIGN PATENTSv 1,098,992 France Mar. 16, 1955A 

1. A PACKAGED PRODUCE PRODUCT COMPRISING A SHEET FIBERBOARD CONTAINER HAVING A BOTTOM AND UPSTANDING END WALLS AND SIDE WALLS DEFINING AN ARTICLE RECEIVING COMPARTMENT, A REINFORCING LINER OF SHEET FIBERBOARD MATERIAL WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID IN EDGEWARD DIMENSION ALTHOUGH HAVING LIMITED RESILIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY IN ITS THICKNESS DIMENSION, THE LINER PROVIDING A BOTTOM FITTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER AND SIDE WALLS INTEGRAL WITH THE BOTTOM EXTENDED UPWARDLY ALONG THE SIDE WALLS OF THE CONTAINER, A LOWER LAYER OF ARTICLES OF PRODUCE TIGHTLY PACKED BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF THE LINER AND POSITIONED ON THE BOTTOM THEREOF, THE LINER HAVING ELONGATED PARTITION PORTIONS INTEGRAL WITH THE SIDE WALLS OF THE LINER AND INWARDLY EXTENDED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO THE LINER BOTTOM EACH A DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY BUT LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS, THE PARTITIONS BEING IN OVERLYING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOWER LAYER OF ARTICLES, AND AN UPPER LAYER OF ARTICLES OF PRODUCE RESTED ON THE PARTITION PORTIONS OF THE LINER AND TIGHTLY PACKED BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF THE CONTAINER, SAID PARTITION 